The illustrator for the new DC Comics’ “Adventures of Superman” digital anthology has backed out of the project as a result of an outpouring of public criticism over the company’s decision to hire anti-gay author, activist, and National Organization For Marriage board member Orson Scott Card to pen the story line.

Chris Sprouse

Graphic artist and illustrator Chris Sprouse was slated to illustrate the comic, which is to be written by Card and co-author Aaron Johnston.

“It took a lot of thought to come to this conclusion, but I’ve decided to step back as the artist on this story,” said Sprouse, in a statement Tuesday. “The media surrounding this story reached the point where it took away from the actual work, and that’s something I wasn’t comfortable with.”

“My relationship with DC Comics remains as strong as ever and I look forward to my next project with them,” he said.

DC Comics said late Tuesday that it supports Spouse’s decision to withdraw from the project.

“Chris is a hugely talented artist, and we’re excited to work with him on his next DC Comics project. In the meantime, we will re-solicit the story at a later date when a new artist is hired,” DC Comics said, in a statement.

The media firestorm first erupted last month when DC Comics announced that Card would write for their new digital “Adventures of Superman.”

A petition on the website AllOut.org has called on DC Comics to drop Card from the project — that petition has accumulated over 16,000 signatures.

USA Todayreported that due to the creative change, the Card story will not appear in the first collected issue, due out May 29.

DC Comics said it is looking for a replacement illustrator for Card’s story.